Project Visa 18 Transfer Rules in Kuwait 2024
Kuwait is one of the most immigrant-holder countries. Every year over hundreds thousands of people go to Kuwait for a living. They are live in Kuwait for years and work in different companies by transferring visa 18 under some rules by the Kuwaiti government. So what are the kuwait visa transfer new rules 2024?
Visa 18 transfer rules in Kuwait is a rule made by the country’s government that allows any outside worker to become a resident of Kuwait by using/transferring their residency visa. However, there are specific requirements that you must meet.
So, what are those requirements? There are more essential things you must know before planning to transfer your kuwait visa 18 categories.
What is Visa 18 in Kuwait?
Before you jump directly on visa 18, transfer rules, and let me share something with you. If you’re wondering, what is ahli visa in kuwait? it’s actually ahli visa kuwait meaning a residency visa that expatriates hold.
They currently live and work in Kuwait with the help of this visa given by their employers. The employers are the ones that ensure immigrants get permission to live as residents of the country. This is also called as “Kuwait shoon visa.”
Visa 18 Transfer New Rules in Kuwait
In 2023, some changes were made to Kuwait visa transfer rules. The current visa 18 allows holders to transfer their residency visa from one organization to another. This means they don’t have to leave Kuwait, but they can easily change the company they’re currently working on using the residency visa and migrate to another company in Kuwait.
This is also known as the “Kuwait Shoon visa transfer rules.” However, the government of Kuwait has set some requirements that one must meet if they’re willing to transfer their visa 18. The requirements are as follows:
- Having at least 3 years of working experience with the present organization
- Having no objections from the current organization that you work at
- The new organization you want to join must have a commercial license with validity
- You should have valid permission to work for the employer
- The organization must achieve a NOC from the MSAL
- The employee must have no record of illegal involvement in Kuwait
Kuwait Visa 18 Categories
Under kuwait visa 18 Categories , there are two categories. They fall under the project visa and non-project visa categories. Because an individual enters a contract with the company and is hired from his native nation, with the employer covering all costs, project visa 18 prohibits an employee from transferring their visa until after three years of employment.
An employee on a non-project visa is not bound to these restrictions and is able to work for any organization and change residency at any time with a three-month notice to his sponsor. If you ever thought about what an Ahli visa is in Kuwait, It’s a work visa that is not permanent.
It’s given to a non-Kuwaiti by the Ministry of the country through the Public Authority of Manpower to give an individual permission to come to Kuwait and work. Later they can apply for the visa 18 Kuwait since it’s a permanent work visa.
Visa 18 Transfer Process
You’ll be glad to know that transferring visa 18 is easy and requires following only 5 steps. Those steps are as follows:
- Search and get a new organization/ employer
- Cancel the residency visa that you currently have
- Obtaining a NOC certificate ( No Objection Certificate)
- Appeal for transferring the residency visa
- Get the new residency visa when approved
Benefits of Visa 18 transfer rules in Kuwait
The new rules of visa 18 transfer are beneficial that most people don’t know. It can provide you with several advantages. These benefits include:
- Allows you to change your current employer
- Increases the longevity of your residency period
- Allows you to freely travel inside and outside of Kuwait
- Increases the time of your visa, meaning no worries regarding visa expiration
- It also gives you other residency benefits that a by-born Kuwaiti can enjoy
Kuwait Visa Transfer New Rules 2024
In 2023, a few new rules were added for those who want to transfer their visa. Those few Kuwait visa transfer rules in 2024 include:
- If a person is working and living in Kuwait under the sponsorship of a private company, then he should work for them for at least 3 years
- He can only leave and ask for a visa transfer if the current company he works for permits to leave
- If a non-Kuwaiti is locally hired by his company, he at least needs to work for them for a year, and after the completion of the year, he can apply for a visa transformation
- A person can leave whenever he wants only if his probation period is under 100 days
20 to 18 Visa Transfer in Kuwait in 2024
If you have a question about how to do a Kuwait visa 20 to 18 transfer, then I’m really sorry to say that it’s no longer possible. You can’t transfer the 20 visa, but you can cancel it. After canceling, you have to leave Kuwait and return on visa 18. But there’s still a requirement to work in a company managing the visa to send you back to Kuwait.
Visa Transfer from One Company to Another in Kuwait online
Unfortunately, you can’t transfer a visa from one company to another online. This is a task for your company; only they can transfer it as it requires some legal papers. Also, you need to physically visit the company that you’re currently working with to inform them that you want to transfer your visa.
How to Change Visa 20 to 18 in Kuwait?
There’s no way to change a visa 20 to 18 transfer in kuwait 2024. Since there are class differences in the jobs between the Visa 20 and Visa 18 holders, the transformation is not possible. While Visa 20 holders work as family drivers, houseboys, and domestic helpers, Visa 18 holders are workers who are skilled and work in private organizations. This difference in work status is the obstacle in transferring visas 20 to 18 in Kuwait.
Masna Visa Transfer Kuwait
Masna visa has another type of transformation called the “Masna transfer.” Under the masna visa transfer in Kuwait, any factory visa can be transferred to an employer visa through visa 18. But there is a specific payment required, and that is 300 KWD (Kuwaiti Dinar).
Frequently Asked Questions
project visa can transfer to any other employer?
A project visa can be transferred to any other visa but only if the project visa holder completes three years working on the assigned project.
What is a project visa?
Ans: The Project Visa is a type of visa granted to skilled and highly skilled foreign national workers employed in the Power and Steel sector of Kuwait.
How to identify project visa in Kuwait?
Ans: To know the type of your visa and whether it is real or fake, follow these steps:
- Go to the official Kuwait e-visa portal
- Enter your e-visa application number and passport number
- Input the correct captcha code as displayed
- Click ‘submit’
Can dependent visa holder work in Kuwait?
Ans: Dependent family members can not work on a Dependent Visa without transferring it into a work visa under Kuwaiti sponsorship.
How to know if my visa is transferable in Kuwait?
Ans: If you are in Kuwait on a government project visa by the company, then you are not allowed to transfer your residence until the completion of the project. However, you can seek a transfer of visa from the government project of the same sponsor to another government project of a different sponsor.
How many types of visas are there in Kuwait?
Ans: There are three main types of Kuwaiti visas. They are domestic visa, work visa, and dependent visa.
Final Words
Kuwait is an ideal country to live in. Hence, many people worldwide move there to live as permanent residents through visa 18, also called work visa, shoon visa, or ahli visa. In 2023, the government brought some changes to the visa 18 transfer rules in Kuwait that are actually benefiting current immigrants. Now, you know the kuwait visa transfer new rules 2024 and more about this visa’s ability. If you still have further queries, ask us through sending emails.
